Rebecca Donnelly MBE, is an inspiration to anyone who understands how sport can help promote camaraderie, team spirit and become part of a community.
Rebecca Donnelly MBE – Chief Executive of ‘Fight4Change’ – Former World Muay Thai Champion, 2009 ABAE Champion
She states, that one of the sports that the charity stands behind is boxing. A tough demanding sport which needs discipline as well as as physicality, strength and the ability to bounce back.
“The intensity of the training builds fitness, strength and resilience,” she says, adding, “However this is not all boxing offers. It gives a sense of purpose and group identity. The gym becomes an extended part of your community, with everyone working towards the same goal – to become the best version of themselves and be the best they can be.
Boxing is a particularly suitable vehicle for which to move participants from a state of offending or at risk of offending into a structured programme, addressing a range of issues and needs of those enrolled. The image of boxing as a tough and heroic sport is attractive to the group and can thus be used as a ‘hook’ to engage them in other processes through our 5 stages. As such, participation in it can be used to change behaviour and is a diversion from re-offending.”
Fight4Change is a registered Sport for Development charity, using sports to inspire and educate young people and adults to make a positive change in their lives.
They use sport and physical activity as the tool and catalyst for positive change, with impact on the young person occurring through every one of their five stages.
The five stages
Empowerment – inspire and motivate
Physical activity/sport – the hook
Education – up skilling and tool kits
Mentoring -guidance
Progression – job opportunities, higher education, apprenticeships
“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.” ….. NELSON MANDELA